Listening as a Method of Action: Practicing and Reflecting on the Cooperation of Civilian Grassroots Communities, along with Concepts and Strategies for Future Action
Over the past 20 years, the dynamics of party politics—characterized by rotation, absorption, and exclusion—along with the delineation of ideological boundaries between the left and right, unification and independence, have led to fluctuating social forces that have experienced cycles of rise and fall through repeated aggregation and division. Within the context of Taiwan’s social environment, forum speakers have sought to explore and to find their positions, and have navigated periods of uncertainty and loss. After two decades of activism, we can reflect on our journey and acknowledge that we have consistently chosen to advocate from the periphery of society, opposing the top-down political power plays and wrangling and self-constrained identification. We champion life and culture as means of action, emphasizing the importance of collective collaboration among various sectors and communities. We believe that listening is a proactive action—listening to patients, listening to music, listening to other communities, and listening to nature. It is the first step in building trust, thereby fostering horizontal connections, and ultimately creating a collective network of actions to transform society. Despite the political strife between parties and the diminishing power of civil society, we remain confident and maintain a positive attitude to continue to fight using our methods of action.
KUO Chia-Ying is an anarchist, psychiatrist, and founder of the Resonance Psychiatric Clinic, as well as founder of the Taiwan Psychedelic Collective, an amateur DJ, a member of the Taiwan Rave & Punk Solidarity Front for Palestine, and a former member of the PLURS EDM Nonuke Front and the Jianmin Liberation Zone.
Li Tzi-Mei is a sociocultural activist, sound creator, and healer who comes from Keelung, as well as a lover of the sea and sports who has a strong aversion to lies. After experiencing trauma, she is now returning to community work. She is a member of the Taiwan Rave & Punk Solidarity Front for Palestine and a former member of the PLURS EDM Nonuke Front and the Jianmin Liberation Zone.
CHEN Shih-Ting is a full-time environmental campaign advocate and serves as DJ, music writer, and founder of the music label/community Sssound Without Borders under the pseudonym Vice City. She is also a member of the Taiwan Rave & Punk Solidarity Front for Palestine and a former member of the PLURS EDM Nonuke Front and Jianmin Liberation Zone.
YANG Zi-Xuan is the owner of Halfway Cafe and also a member of the Taiwan Hibig Band and the Taiwan Rave & Punk Solidarity Front for Palestine. She was part of the PLURS EDM Nonuke Front, Jianmin Liberation Zone, NONUKE Bards, and Go Straight Cafe.